Systems, methods and apparatus for geofence networks

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and devices for location-based services are disclosed in the present invention. A multiplicity of network devices, a database, and a server platform in network-based communication. The database stores a space-network model binding IP addresses and physical locations. The server platform is operable to generate at least one geofence in the space-network model and specify entitlements for the location-based services within the at least one geofence. The at least one geofence and specific entitlement are stored to the database. The multiplicity of network devices is configured to learn the space-network model and the at least one geofence and perform tasks based on the entitlements specified for the location-based services within the at least one geofence.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from the following U.S. patent applications. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/545,625, filed Aug. 20, 2019, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,932,084, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/541,720 filed Aug. 15, 2019, which a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/521,737 filed Jul. 25, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/496,602 filed Apr. 25, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,375,514, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 filed Jul. 18, 2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,115,277. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,951, filed Jun. 22, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/755,669 filed Jun. 30, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,951, filed Jun. 22, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/811,234 filed Jul. 28, 2015, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/030,252, filed Jul. 29, 2014. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/811,234 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,951, filed Jun. 22, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/811,234 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/755,699 filed Jun. 30, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,951, filed Jun. 22, 2015 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/811,234 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/740,557 filed Jun. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,280,559, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/953,485 filed Nov. 30, 2015, which is a continuation in-part-of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,951 filed Jun. 22, 2015, which is a continuation in-part-of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/213,072 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/007,661, filed Jan. 27, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,396,344, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/740,557, filed Jun. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,280,559, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,259, filed Jun. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,638, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each of the above listed priority documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for location-based services, especially a space-network model binding Internet Protocol addresses and geographical locations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Systems, methods, and devices for creating databases of land are well-known in the prior art. It is also known to have an IP address associated with a general location, such as a city or zip code. Furthermore, location-based beacon technologies have entered the mass markets providing geo-location and enabling of portable wireless devices for venue and in-store customer marketing, sales and CRM services. Real estate ownership and the management of business services within the constraints of the business space, like a mall or convention center, has become open game for outside competitive customer poaching and other kinds of interference. Furthermore, geo-fencing could address other contentious applications and their use, such as texting while driving. Ubiquitous smartphone usage and location based mobile marketing and communication have become prevalent in today's society. With 1.75 billion smartphone users in 2014 and 85% of the top 100 retailers estimated to be using beacon technology by 2016, opportunities for determining the interactions of the smartphones, beacons, and the Internet generally within defined spaces are numerous.

Exemplary US Patent documents in the prior art include:

US Pub. No. 2015/0031398 for “Zone-Based Information Linking Systems and Methods” by Rahnama, filed Jul. 29, 2015 and published Jan. 29, 2015, describes a method of linking to a geo-fenced zone, the method comprising: configuring a device to operate as a document processing engine according to zone address identification rules; obtaining, by the document processing engine, a digital document; identifying, by the document processing engine, at least one zone address token in the digital document according to the zone address identification rules; resolving the at least one zone address token to a network address related to a target zone; and enabling the device to link communicatively to the target zone according to the network address.

US Pub. No. 2002/0035432 for “Method and system for spatially indexing land” by Kubica, filed Jun. 8, 2001 and published May 31, 2007, describes a method of spatially indexing land by selecting a parcel (100) of land and extending its boundaries (110) to include a portion of adjacent streets (125) and alleys (122) to define a cell (150). A unique identifier is assigned to the cell as well as a reference point (170) within the cell (150). The reference point has a known location in a global referencing system. An internet address is assigned to the cell which identifies its location, such as the location of the reference point within the cell. This information and other data associated with the cell is then stored in an OX Spatial Index database and includes the street address for the cell and other relevant information such as owner, what type building if any is on the property, location of utility lines, etc. A Spatial Internet Address which includes the geographic location of the cell is assigned for each cell and this information is also stored in the index. The index thereby created can be used for various applications such as determining a user's location and locating geographically relevant information by searching the index and connecting to websites associated with the user's vicinity.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,129 for “Geo-spatial internet protocol addressing” by Preston, filed Nov. 30, 2000 and issued Jul. 19, 2005, describes conversion of latitude and longitude to an addressing scheme that supports current TCP/IP (Ipv4) and future addressing (Ipv6/Ipng) requirements. More specifically, it allows a decentralization of the unicast point to a device on the hosted network. Geographical Internet Protocol (geoIP) addressing will facilitate anycast routing schemes in which the nearest node has a statically assigned geoIP. Geo-routing and network management become a function of the geoIP address.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,812,027 for “Geo-fence entry and exit notification system” by Obermeyer, filed Aug. 15, 2012 and issued Aug. 19, 2014, describes a method for determining when a mobile communications device has crossed a geo-fence. The method comprises (a) providing a mobile communications device (209) equipped with an operating system and having a location detection application resident thereon, wherein the mobile communications device is in communication with a server (211) over a network (203), and wherein the server maintains a geo-fence database (213); (b) receiving, from the operating system, a notification that (i) the location of the mobile communications device has changed by an amount that exceeds a predetermined threshold, or (ii) that a period of time has passed; (c) querying the operating system for a data set comprising the general location of the mobile communications device and the corresponding location accuracy; (d) transmitting the data set to the server; and (e) receiving from the server, in response, a set of geo-fences (205) proximal to the general location.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,837,363 for “Server for updating location beacon database” by Jones, filed Sep. 6, 2011 and issued Sep. 16, 2014, describes a location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to reduce arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, Wi-Fi identity information and GPS location information is detected. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,892,460 for “Cell-allocation in location-selective information provision systems” by Golden, et al., filed Aug. 29, 2014 and issued Nov. 18, 2014, describes system and methods for allocating cells within a virtual grid to content providers according to various priority and selection schemes are used to target content delivery to information playback devices in a geographically and/or application selective manner. The priority schemes, geographical selectivity, and application selectivity of the system and methods of the invention allow a content provider to specifically target a desired demographic with high cost efficiency and flexibility.

US Pub. No. 2014/0171013 for “Monitoring a mobile device en route to destination” by Varoglu, filed Dec. 17, 2012 and published Jun. 19, 2014, describes a system, method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a mobile device en route to a destination. A user of a monitored device specifies geo-fence regions along a route to the destination. Entry and exit of regions triggers the sending of event notifications to a monitoring device. Event notifications may be sent if an estimated time of arrival changes due to delay. Event notifications may be sent if the monitored device deviates from a planned route by a threshold distance. Event notifications may be sent through a direct communication link between the monitored device and monitoring device or through a location-based service.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,634,804 for “Devices, systems, and methods for location based billing” by McNamara, filed Dec. 7, 2009, and issued Jan. 21, 2014, describes devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to billing users of a telecommunication network. A billing server is in communication with a geo-fence database. The geo-fence database contains a plurality of geo-fences. Some geo-fences are associated with a single mobile communication devices, such as a home geo-fence, work geo-fence, etc., while other geo-fences are global, such as a stadium geo-fence, toll geo-fence, etc. When a mobile communication device enters the perimeter of a geo-fence, a billing server changes the billing rate at which connections are billed to the user account or bills another user account. The mobile communication device may send a ticket code to the billing server for a reduced billing rate while within a geo-fence. If a mobile communication device enters a toll geo-fence, then the billing server charges the user account for the toll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and method and apparatus for location-based services. In one embodiment, a system for location-based services comprises a multiplicity of network devices, a database, and a server platform constructed and configured in network-based communication. The database is configured to store a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations. The server platform is operable to define at least one geofence based on the space-network model and specify entitlements for the location-based services within the at least one geofence. The at least one geofence and entitlement for the location-based services are stored to the database. The multiplicity of network devices are configured to learn the space-network model and the at least one geofence and perform tasks based on the entitlements specified for the location-based services within the at least one geofence.

In another embodiment, a system for advertising location information comprises a multiplicity of devices constructed and configured for network-based communication within a geofence. Each of the multiplicity of devices comprises a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver. Each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to emit a unique space-network identifier continuously within the geofence. The unique space-network identifier comprises a binding of an IP address and physical location information for each of the multiplicity of devices. Each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to receive space-network identifiers from its peers within the geofence. Each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to update the unique space-network identifier based on space-network identifiers received from its peers within the geofence.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as they support the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a quadtree graph.

FIG. 2 is an octree graph.

FIG. 3 is visualization in the Unity game engine of a sphere embedded as voxels of a voxelized cube in a Unity world space.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the space-network model for Australian continent synchronized with the movement of the land mass according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of general routing and switching architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a geofence defined for a telecom carrier infrastructure in an area according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a geofence defined for a power grid infrastructure in an area according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a local reference frame built around a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Priority documents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,363,638, 9,280,559, 9,396,344, and copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/745,951, 14/755,669, 14/811,234, 14/953,485, 15/213,072, and 16/541,720 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Space-Network Model

The present invention provides a space-network model comprised of a combination of an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a directed graph, an optional topological space, and a physical topography and/or elements of a complete geodetic system. A directed graph can be a strip tree, a quadtree, an octree, a b-tree, an r-tree, a weighted graph or a cyclic graph. A topological space can be a manifold (e.g. torus, sphere, Euclidean space), a simplicial complex, or a Hamming space. A complete geodetic system can be the World Geodetic System (WGS84).

The combination of the location and the network is inherent to the space-network model of the present invention. The space-network model is a unique structure built by assigning a unique IP address to a physical location, or from another perspective, the space-network model is given dimension through distribution of IP addresses inside of a mathematical construct. A physical place like a planet can then be placed inside of the space-network model.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the space-network model comprises four elements, including a topographical structure, a directed graph, a reference datum, and an Internet Protocol (IP) network. Preferably, the IP network is IPv6 or IP future versions beyond IPv6. A topographical structure can be constructed from measurements of the surface of a planet, a tectonic plate, a geometric solid. A topological space such as a torus or cylinder can be chosen to accommodate a map projection.

FIG. 1 illustrates a quadtree graph. FIG. 2 illustrates an octree graph. Quadtrees and octrees can be generalized to arbitrary dimensions. A coordinate in N-dimensional Euclidean space always sits in an N-dimensional cube represented by a sequence of digits between 0 and 2^(n)−1. An N-dimensional manifold is projected into a lower dimensional Euclidean space. For example, a 3D sphere has a 2D map projection.

A reference datum is selected from a prime beacon, a center of mass, a center of gravity, a center of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellation, a fixed point computed by reference to an astronomical object, a natural or manmade satellite, or any other astronomical object, by way of example but not limited to: a star, a comet, an asteroid, and/or a distant pulsar.

A prime beacon is a manmade beacon that transmits its own physical location via information encoded on an energy source. The energy source may be a form of radiant energy (e.g., electromagnetic) or mechanical energy (e.g., sonic). The information is encoded as a space-network identifier. The space-network identifier emitted from the prime beacon is used as the reference datum to establish a space-network frame.

FIG. 3 is a visualization in the Unity game engine of a sphere embedded as voxels of a voxelized cube in a Unity world space. The embedding is obtained by associating a longitude and latitude coordinate to a node in an octree, with that node corresponding to a voxel of the voxelized cube in the Unity world space. The embedding can be augmented by perturbations and distortions so as to provide an embedding of a shape more closely representing that of the Earth; in general, any three-dimensional surface can be embedded similarly in the voxelized cube. A node in the octree, and its corresponding voxel, is represented as an IP network address in a space-network model. The voxel corresponding to each node in the octree can be divided into subcomponents. For example, each face of the voxel can be subdivided into tiles, each tile corresponds to a node in a quadtree, and that node, in turn, is represented as an IP network address in a space-network model.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the Unity world space does not have the same dimensions as the real world since the earth is not a perfect sphere. In other words, the Unity world space is more perfect mathematically. Thus, physics models in the real world are built in the Unity world space for use with the present invention. The illustrated Unity game engine world space provides a coarse representation of a space-network model of the present invention including intersections of datum that gives start in some universe. So, modeling is done in such a world space. A ring illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided to test navigability around a line of latitude for IPv6 aggregation. Each voxel (cube) in FIG. 2 is navigable as an octree and each plane in FIG. 2 is navigable as a quadtree similar to zoom level projections in the present invention.

Reference Frames

Reference frames are independent blocks of a space-network model and are used for any purpose independently of other frames. Reference frames may be provided at any depth of the space-network model. Each reference frame of the present invention has its own multi-dimensional orientation and can be scaled, translated or rotated for any purpose. In one embodiment, a reference frame has an independent reference datum. In another embodiment, a reference frame is anchored to a parent frame.

For example, due to tectonic shift, the entire continent of Australia has moved 1.5 meters north over the past 22 years as well as rotated relative to a Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) and surrounding plates. Thus, the space-network model for a local area of Australia is translated and rotated to remain synchronized with the movement of the land mass according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

While the space-network model of the present invention is referred to as reference frames, coordinate systems, map projections and datums that relate to the earth, this space-network relationship is applicable to any dimensional spaces. Dimensional spaces include higher order mathematical structures, geometrical or otherwise.

The earth is not a perfect sphere, it flexes and flows under the influence of tides, gravity and interactions between the earth's mantle and crust. As a coordinate system, the space-network model of the present invention in the context of the geometry of the earth is superior to the GCS in that it allows for localized portions of the space-network model to be decoupled from the whole, thereby allowing parts of the planet to drift, rotate and scale independently within a reference frame. In one embodiment, localized frames of the space-network model are linked to another frame by a pivot point. The pivot point is generally an anchor point at the center of mass or geometric centroid depending on the number of dimensions. In one embodiment, linked frames of the space-network model use dissimilar dimensions, topologies or IP networks, but do not require a datum as they may inherit a datum from a parent frame.

Space-Network Model (SNM)-Based Network Protocol

In the field of computer networking, a network topology describes various arrangements of network nodes (e.g., hosts, routers, switches, and other network connected devices). Network topologies include, for example but not for limitation, busses, rings, stars, and meshes.

For decades, network engineers have been striving to create a mapping of abstract network topologies to the physical world. Many geo-routing and geo-casting protocols have been developed in this pursuit. These protocols vary in methods, but most if not all are prone to gross error through misconfiguration when placed in the hands of network administrators. The geo-casting protocols have failed in the past as they all try to build an ephemeral model that glues geographical topography and network topology together, but the network topology in particular places cannot be verified based on observations and assertions.

The space-network model of the present invention obsoletes these protocols through a simple truth that if a location is known, then the network at that location is known. Conversely, if a network that a distant network node is utilizing or advertising is known, then the exact location for the distant network node is known. This linkage between a network and a location is achieved through the distribution of IP addresses in a topological space. A reference datum is then used to pin the topological space to a topography.

The present invention also provides a network protocol based on the space-network model. The space-network model (SNM)-based network protocol of the present invention represents a fusion of a geographical topography, an IP network and that IP network's topology. It is also operable to leverage and extend beacon-based location services. The SNM-based network protocol of the present invention provides for a fencing agent to derive automatically an exact 3D geographical location using an IPv6 address from the space-network model. Conversely, given a 3D geographical location, the Fencing Agent automatically determines the corresponding IPv6 address using the space-network model.

In one embodiment, the space-network model is applied to the geographic 3D surface of the earth. Every location, for example one room in a building, has a finite number of IP addresses assigned to it in the space-network model of the present invention, thereby automatically creating an IP network (or IP networks) using IPv6 or later version that associates every locational point with its unique IPv6 address. Just as each room of the building is aggregated into a larger structure, in the present invention IP networks corresponding to different locations are aggregated into a supernet, also known as prefix aggregation or route summarization. The aggregation in networking terms is like an address on an envelope. For example, when a zip code is provided, the location area associated with the zip code is known and provides an initial basis for routing the envelope toward a specific address. From that zip code as an initial basis for routing the envelope, adding a street name, and then a house or building number corresponding to a more particular location on the street, the exact location is known or established by the complete address, and the envelope may be delivered accurately to the location corresponding to the complete address.

The present invention includes a mechanism to constantly produce and populate the space-network model database that contains binding between the IP addresses and their corresponding locations, which are inextricably linked together. This mechanism is superior to geocoding or GeoIP data sets which leverage data mining exercises based on zip codes, cities, and/or countries.

Given an IP address, the location information is known based on the space-network model in the present invention. Based on this fundamental truth, the present invention allows for automatically addressing physical space at near real time speeds with a precision of more than 41 trillion IP addresses per atom in the earth, i.e., each IPv6 address corresponds precisely to a 3D location on the earth's surface. Notably, the 3D location can include a dimensional location component above the surface or below the surface of the earth, with a precision of about 10 to 20 addresses along a radius of a proton. The precision provided by the present invention systems and methods using the space-network model (SNM)-based network protocol exceeds what is required in most practical applications for mapping and location-based services. However, the present invention may be further applied to medical imaging or to medical applications to address delivery of medications or treatments at a cellular level, or molecular level, or even more precise.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a device, knowing its location, is operable to make a request via Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Neighbor Solicitations, Neighbor Advertisements, Router Solicitations, Router Advertisements, or Redirects, for an assignment or assertion of use of an IP address representing its location within a space-network model.

Upon the assignment or acquisition of a new IP network identity, the device is operable to announce the use of this IP address through the course of ARP, directed communication, broadcast, multicast, anycast, or other common uses of IP protocols. Anycast is a network addressing and routing methodology in which datagrams from a single sender are routed to the topologically nearest node in a group of potential receivers, though they may be sent to several nodes, all are identified by the same destination address.

Once becoming aware of the IP addresses currently in use by their network peers, all the other network devices are operable to compute the exact positions of their network peers within the space-network model, thereby knowing the exact 3D positions of their network peers.

Other nearby routers and switches within a physical topography associated with an IP network are operable to check assertions of devices by sending a request that addresses for the devices are indeed within a known or physically possible region. Impossible or unlikely requests could be denied as a security or route optimization measure.

The network protocol provided by the present invention are opportunistic protocols based on zero-configuration networking (zeroconf). Zeroconf is a set of technologies that automatically creates a usable computer network based on the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) when computers or network peripherals are interconnected. It does not require manual operator intervention or special configuration servers. Apple TV, Chromecast, Airplay are all based on zeroconf.

The SNM-based network protocol provided by present invention provides a back channel between beacon-emitting devices in network connection or routers either having access to GPS or not. The beacon-emitting devices and routers, configured for the SNM-based network protocol, are operable to measure distance between their network peers. The SNM-based network protocol is operable on multiple channels in multiple types of networks including wired and wireless.

In one embodiment of the present invention, some location information encoded in corresponding IP addresses are verified, and some location information are not verified. The present invention enables devices to refine one another's or its own location over time based on emitting-variance-covariance-based estimations or other estimations of precision. The location information is refined automatically and continuously in real time.

Lifecycle for Location Accuracy Augmentation

In one embodiment of the present invention, a first router configured with GPS in a datacenter is operable to initialize a loopback interface with an IPv6 address in which a block of address space is encoded with a physical location of the first router based on the space-network model in the present invention.

The second router in the same datacenter discovers the first router as a network peer over a connected network medium. Upon discovering a space-network identifier and accuracy value from the first router, the second router is operable to use time-distance metrics from its connected interfaces using the built-in cable diagnostics or Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to estimate cable lengths and approximate its proximity to the first router.

A third router in the same datacenter discovers its location from a beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol of the present invention. This third router also joins as a network peer. The second router now has two sources of location and two sources of distance.

Every router is operable to receive information from a new source to further refine its location and in turn provide more accurate augmentation to its peers. If a router does not have any source of location independent of an Ethernet network, for example, a GPS, Wi-Fi receiver, etc, the router is still able to learn the cable lengths between the device and other devices over the Ethernet network.

Beacons Configured for the SNM-Based Network Protocol

According to the present invention, a beacon is configured for the SNM-based network protocol and transmits its own physical location via information encoded on an energy source. The energy source may be a form of radiant energy (e.g., electromagnetic) or mechanical energy (e.g., sonic) based on a radio source, light source, sonic source or ultrasonic source. The information is encoded as a space-network identifier.

Each beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol is operable to use many sources of location data to establish or refine its own location or its peer's location. These sources include but not limited to other beacons, announcements from network peers, time/distance ranging with other radiant or mechanical energy sources, ground based or satellite based location services such as GNSS.

An accuracy value is also encoded with a space-network identifier. The accuracy value represents a beacon's confidence level in the precision of the location that it is advertising within the space-network model. The accuracy value is computed through consideration and comparison of the many sources of location augmentation that the beacon is exposed to.

The only exception is a prime beacon. A prime beacon has a fixed location in a given space-network model and acts as a reference datum for the given space-network frame.

At the time of the present invention, all commercially available radio beacons, for example but not for limitation, iBeacon (Apple), Eddystone (Google), and AltBeacon (Various Vendors), can be configured for the SNM-based network protocol by adding a single chip implementation of the SNM-based protocol provided by the present invention.

Each beacon is operable to advertise its location information by emitting binary space-network identifiers continuously. The location information is encoded in the address portion of a space-network identifier, and an accuracy value is encoded in the metadata portion of the space-network identifier. The space-network identifier is another key similar to a hardware address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address to identify an entity within a space-network model.

In one embodiment, a workflow for installing and initializing one of these commercially available beacons includes the following steps: affix a beacon to a physical place; establish communication between the beacon with a smartphone containing a Fencing Agent enabled application provided by the present invention; the Fencing Agent enabled application configures the beacon based on the location information and a corresponding accuracy value from the Fencing Agent enabled application. The beacon is then operable to continuously transmit a space-network identifier encoded with its location information and an accuracy value.

In one embodiment, a beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol is placed on an antenna outside a building. The antenna is a survey grade dual antenna for land surveys with sub-centimeter GPS precision. Other beacons inside the building are operable to learn their locations from each other based on triangulation and trilateration.

Routing Engines Configured for the SNM-Based Network Protocol

Similar to a beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol, a routing engine is configurable for the SNM-based network protocol and is operable to establish and/or refine the location information associated with its IP address from inside the firmware of the routing and switching hardware. If a router with a routing engine configured for the SNM-based network protocol moves, the router is operable to relearn its location by observing the network it is on and/or any network-connected beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol over zeroconf or other similar discovery mechanism.

Many datacenters have GPS feed at least for accurate clock information and many vendors of routers and switches have the ability to connect to a GPS based source of clock. A network device such as a router with a routing engine configured for the SNM-based network protocol is operable to take the same GPS feed, derive location information out of standard National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) messages from the GPS feed, and use link state announcements (LSA) to make authoritative assertions that a network is available in a place, and a place is available in a network. That is, the SNM-based network protocol is a modern internal routing protocol which uses LSA to advertise the availability of a particular IP network on a particular router or switch interface or port. As routers interact with one another through zeroconf or similar advertisements and/or communication with remote peers, they are operable to augment each other's locational precision.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of general routing and switching architecture. Distance/vector data and link state data are collected to traffic engineering databases. The traffic engineering databases communicate with routing processors, both of which are configured with graph or tree solving algorithms. Administrative preferences for the traffic engineering databases and/or the routing processors may be entered by a network administrator. The routing processors are configured with hardware and/or software. A traffic forwarding plane makes decisions on what to do with data arriving in the form of packets, frames or other protocol data units. The data is then transmitted from the traffic forwarding plane to a physical or virtual network interface. When the physical or virtual network interface changes, link state data changes, and traffic engineering database is updated based on the link state data change.

In a space-network model provided by the present invention, a position always references both a physical location and an address block within a IP address. A space-network model provides a mechanism to navigate the IP addresses and the physical world in a consistent manner, and allows for interchanges between directed graphs, projections and physical datums.

Any fragment of a protocol data unit (PDU) at any layer of an Open System Interconnection (OSI) model can be used to reference a position in the space-network model provided by present invention. This includes non-prescribed uses of hardware identifiers such as a MAC address.

Systems configured for the SNM-based network protocol are operable to act as ground based augmentation (GBA) to GNSS/GPS. Some critical infrastructure is dependent on the precise timekeeping and geolocating of GNSS/GPS, and some critical infrastructure is only dependent on the precise timekeeping of GNSS/GPS. According to the present invention, the systems configured for the SNM-based network protocol are capable of keeping critical infrastructure running in an event of a complete GNSS failure based on location-based aggregation. Some critical infrastructure is only dependent on the precise timekeeping of GNSS.

A blockchain is a distributed transactional ledger. In one embodiment, the blockchain is used as a tamper-proof and corruption-proof record of a geofence ownership, a land deed and/or a smart contract related to the land or geofence. In one embodiment, an IPv6 address in a space-network model is encoded with metadata information, such as a blockchain ID, a transaction ID, and/or a hash in the blockchain for a transaction.

In one embodiment, a web server configured for the SNM-based network protocol in the present invention is operable to learn an exact position of every client by knowing each client's IP address. Thus, the web server log contains the exact position of every client.

In one embodiment, drones are configured according to the present invention to emit space-network identifiers continuously in a form of IP addresses encoded with location information and corresponding accuracy values. When the drones are in a mesh network, they are operable to learn and update each other's position and in real time avoid collision.

In one embodiment, the present invention enables network policies for restricting or allowing network resources based on their exact positions.

In one embodiment, network routing policies are expressed as entitlements on geofences comprised of points within a space-network model, and the behavior of network routing and switching equipment can be further refined by such network routing policies.

The present invention provides systems and methods for advertising location information. A multiplicity of devices is constructed and configured for network-based communication within a geofence. Each of the multiplicity of devices comprises a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver. Each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to emit a unique space-network identifier continuously within the geofence. The unique space-network identifier comprises a binding of an IP address and physical location information for each of the multiplicity of devices. Each of the multiplicity of devices is configured to receive space-network identifiers from its peers within the geofence; and update the unique space-network identifier based on space-network identifiers received from its peers within the geofence. The geofence is defined in a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations.

The unique space-network identifier comprises an IP number portion encoded with physical location information for a device emitting the unique space-network identifier. The unique space-network identifier comprises a network portion representing a network that a device emitting the unique space-network identifier is in, and the network portion is encoded with location information for the network that a device emitting the unique space-network identifier is in. The unique space-network identifier comprises a metadata portion encoded with an accuracy value representing a confident level in a precision of the location information for the device emitting the unique space-network identifier. Each of the multiplicity of devices is operable to augment the accuracy value in the unique space-network identifier emitted from each of the multiplicity of devices. The multiplicity of devices are movable, and operable to relearn their location and update the unique space-network identifier based on space-network identifiers received from its peers. The multiplicity of devices are selected from beacons, routers, switches, hosts, and other network connected devices.

Telecom Carrier Infrastructure Management

The present invention is applicable to manage telecom carrier infrastructure. In one embodiment, a geofence in the form of a 2D polygon or 3D volume is defined for an area in a space-network model for certain activities and/or policies in a certain area, such as scheduled installation, maintenance, net neutrality control, traffic policies, etc. In another embodiment, a geofence is drawn around an area that is predicted to be impacted by a storm or other weather event for preemptive traffic restoration, and optimization of customer and public service. In another embodiment, a geofence is defined indicating areas where certain types of service are possible or available.

In these embodiments, specific entitlements are defined for the defined geofence. For example, the entitlements include an intent to route traffic inside the geofence to another part of a stakeholder's own network or a competitor's network outside the geofence; bulk customer migrations of products or pricing plans; telephone number plans; aggregation strategies for IP number space; testing/staging areas for changes of routing/switching configurations; areas not accepting traffic from internal or external peers; and tariff related concerns. The entitlements express routing policies that tune the quality of service (QoS) and/or priority of certain types of traffic inside and/or outside the defined geofence. Note that the entitlements are referred to as requirements and capabilities from the geofence owner and device/application providers' perspectives respectively. Namely, a network carrier expresses requirements for geofence, and a network device/application complies with the requirements by matching their capabilities to the requirements.

FIG. 6 illustrates a geofence defined for a telecom carrier infrastructure in an area according to one embodiment of the present invention. Once a geofence for an area is defined and entitlements are applied within a global or private registry, a network device configured for the SNM-based network protocol is operable to intentionally build a situational understanding of where that area is and how the network device and its peers relate to that area. The network device is operable to comply with the entitlements in order to manipulate its routing and switching behavior. The network device is further operable to update its routes and policies based on updated entitlements of the geofence.

Power System Infrastructure Management

The power grid infrastructure, including power plants, substations, distribution and transmission lines, is surveyed in detail and their locations are exactly known. At least one IPv6 address can be assigned to each equipment and along transmission lines at millimeter level. Each IPv6 address is encoded with the location information in the IP number space, and grid topology information (e.g., switches, transformers, capacitors, connections), phase data on the power grid, and other relevant information in the metadata space.

In one embodiment, a geofence is defined for a certain part of a power grid infrastructure, for example, a power plant, a substation, or a section of a transmission or distribution line. Specific entitlements are defined for the geofence for different purposes, for example, inspections and maintenance, storm damage assessment, and security.

FIG. 7 illustrates a geofence defined for a power grid infrastructure in an area according to one embodiment of the present invention. The geofence for an area is defined and specific entitlements are applied within a global or private registry. A network device configured for the SNM-based network protocol is operable to intentionally build a situational understanding of where that area is and how the network device and its peers relate to that area. The network device is operable to comply with the entitlements in order to manipulate its routing and switching behavior. The network device is further operable to update its routes and policies. The network device is further operable to aggregate IPv6 addresses within the geofence. For example, drones configured for the SNM-based network protocol are operable to detect different parts of the power infrastructure within the geofence; and carry out at least one of the following tasks: inspections, maintenance, storm damage assessment, and security surveillance with more precision and efficiency.

Hospitality Management

The present invention is applicable to property management in hospitality industry. A geofence can be defined in a space-network model for a hotel location and entitlements can be specified for hotel management. In one embodiment, at least one electric LED candle is placed in a hotel room. Each of the at least one electric LED candle is configured for the SNM-based network protocol. Each of the at least one electric LED candle is operable to continuously emit space-network identifiers advertising its address within the geofence in the space-network model. Metadata encoded in a space-network identifier include room number, relative positions within a hotel room, HVAC system within a hotel room, and other electronic switching information.

A network device configured for the SNM-based network protocol is operable to intentionally build a situational understanding of the geofence and related entitlements, and perform certain tasks complying with the entitlements. For example, the network device is operable to receive space-network identifiers, learn the location information and metadata information encoded in the space-network identifiers, for example a room number, temperature information, smoke density, HVAC function information, energy consumption information in a room from which each space-network identifier is emitted. Also as an example, a network device is operable by the hotel management or the HVAC contractors to remotely inspect, control and maintain the HVAC system and other appliance in a specific hotel room.

Vehicular Application: Mobile Space-Network Frames

In a space-network model, a reference frame can be decoupled from a parent frame and subsequently translated, rotated and scaled independently in order to service a mobile space. For example, but not for limitation, the mobile space can be a tectonic plate, a motor vehicle, a flow of vehicles moving on a certain segment of a freeway, etc.

According to the present invention, a reference frame for a moving vehicle is independent and mobile from a global space-network frame. A beacon configured for the SNM-based network protocol is installed in the moving vehicle. In a small area, for example, within a radius of 10 or 30 meters, global uniqueness is not important. In a LAN or PAN network, the odds that an IP number is being reused (i.e., IP collision) is low. This way, the beacon in the moving vehicle can be implemented with a smaller BLE chip, which consumes less power and transmits shorter messages, and the space-network identifiers emitted from the beacon have shorter headers. The space-network identifiers are changeable and unique for different purposes (e.g., marketing campaigns, and traffic reporting). The beacon is operable for broadcast communication and/or directed communication with other vehicles. In one embodiment, the beacon can report impact information based on an accelerometer affixed in the moving vehicle. In one embodiment, the beacon emits software defined PDU over Bluetooth v4.0 Low Energy (BLE).

IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN) is a prevailing automotive mesh protocol. In one embodiment, 6LowPAN is used to build regionally unique identifiers in the form of PDUs. 6LoWPAN PDUs have mixed number of bits allowed encoding location information, for example, 16 or 64 bits. The mobile reference frames for different vehicles can be aggregated into large reference frames, and also the network associated with the mobile frames possess aggregation properties, for example, a PAN can be aggregated into a mesh network, which can be aggregated into the global Internet.

In one embodiment, a local reference frame is defined for an area ahead and behind a vehicle within one mile. Submicron precision is achieved by creating 64-bit or smaller (with 6LoWPAN header compression) identifiers for each location within the local reference frame. Each identifier for each location is encoded with unique metadata. A prime beacon inside the vehicle acts as an origin for the local reference frame and emits space-network identifiers. In one embodiment, the prime beacon emits 128-bit identifiers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a local reference frame built around a vehicle. In one embodiment, the prime beacon directs its space-network identifiers in the form of PDUs to surrounding vehicles over 6LoWPAN. In another embodiment, the prime beacon of the local reference frame broadcasts its space-network identifiers in the form of PDUs over 6LoWPAN. A peer vehicle within the 6LoWPAN listens to the broadcast identifiers, obtains the exact locations of the surrounding vehicles emitting space-network identifiers and other observations from the metadata (e.g., velocity, direction, etc.), decides how close it is to the vehicles emitting identifiers and facilitates decision-making to avoid collision. The local reference frame illustrated in FIG. 8 is preferably designed for autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, there are radar, sonar, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and/or computer vision technology on board an autonomous vehicle complementary to the local reference frame to detect what an obstacle generally is, for example, debris, drones, animals, etc.

Geophysical Application

The space-network model of the present invention is applicable to any geometry on earth. The geometry can be a nano-cube, a nano-2D face geometry, a line segment, or any size bigger. Each geometry is described with an IPv6 anchor point and a DNS record. Each 128-bit anchor points are appended with their boundaries and rules. The boundary of each geometry comprises IPv6 points in the space-network model. In one embodiment, the rules are part of the construct of a software application running on a device. In one embodiment, the device includes a control panel designed with if-then statements and other programmed logics, for example, slow down, stop, and turn. A device configured with the SNM-based network protocol of the present invention is operable for communication without GPS.

The present invention is applicable to oil and gas drilling industry. A geologic space can be converted to a space-network model in one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the Eagle Ford Group is represented by a space-network model according to one embodiment of the present invention. A geofence is defined for the Eagle Ford Group in the space-network model, and rules and procedures are implemented for oil and gas drilling with devices within the geofence. In one embodiment, a multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is located with a predetermined spatial density on the ground in the Eagle Ford Group with wireless communication, forming an edge network. The multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is configured with dynamic programming rules. A multiplicity of mobile devices is located and navigated underground in the Eagle Ford Group to execute the rules and the procedures via communication with the multiplicity of fixed seismic devices. The multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is operable to survey, sound and guide drill bits, and locate shot points. The multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is also operable to geo-register and map energy reflection, and convert the energy reflection (e.g., in cubits) with different resolutions.

The multiplicity of fixed seismic devices and the multiplicity of mobile devices form a dynamic live interconnected network. In one embodiment, the multiplicity of mobile devices includes drill bits getting in and out of well bores, and the multiplicity of fixed seismic devices are considered as geophones. In one embodiment, the drill bits are configured for network communication. In one embodiment, the drill bits are configured with at least one sensor for data collection. The at least one sensor is operable to collect real-time drilling data, geological data, and other related data. The dynamic live interconnected network is operable to add active seismic devices and new drill bits. For example, but not for limitation, the multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is operable to collect data from the multiplicity of mobile devices (e.g., drill bits) in a shale play, model the formation of the shale play, and build a live 3D geophysical network with all underground activities for the shale play. The multiplicity of fixed seismic devices is placed in a certain geometry, such as line segments or rectangles, within the geofence, to generate live formation modeling close to drill bits and other live modeling for different operators in the shale play based on rules and activities in the shale play.

The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for location-based services. At least one network device, a database, and a server platform are constructed and configured for network communication. The database stores a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (e.g., IPv6 addresses) and physical locations (e.g., 3D locations). The server platform defines at least one geofence for a region of interest based on the space-network model and specifies entitlements within the at least one geofence. The database stores the at least one geofence and the entitlements for the location-based services The at least one network device implements the entitlements specified for the location-based services within the at least one geofence for the region of interest. The at least one network device comprises a fencing agent in network communication with the server platform and the database. In one embodiment, the at least one geofence is 2D or 3D. In one embodiment, the region of interest is an oil field, and the entitlements comprise mineral rights and drilling rules within the at least one geofence for the oil field. In one embodiment, the at least one geofence is underground for a predetermined depth of the oil field. A multiplicity of drilling devices is in network communication with the at least one network device, and the multiplicity of drilling devices performs tasks in compliance with the entitlements within the at least one geofence. The at least one network device models the formation of the oil field based on data collected by the multiplicity of drilling devices. In one embodiment, the multiplicity of network devices is operable to learn and update their location data based on IP address information and the space-network model in real time. In one embodiment, the multiplicity of network devices is configured in a mesh network, and the multiplicity of network devices is operable to transmit at least one space-network identifier encoded with physical location information. In one embodiment, the at least one geofence comprises a multiplicity of 3D geofences aligned by depth in the oil field. The multiplicity of network devices is operable to guide the multiplicity of drilling devices in compliance with the rules in the multiplicity of geofences.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. In an alternate embodiment of the systems and methods of the present invention, Lat/Long is used and forward records instead of using IP addresses as described in the foregoing preferred embodiments. The above-mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects of the invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the present invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for location-based services, comprising: at least one network device, a database, and a server platform constructed and configured for network communication; wherein the database is configured to store a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations; wherein the server platform is operable to define at least one geofence for a region of interest based on the space-network model; and wherein the database is configured to store the at least one geofence for the location-based services.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one network device comprises a fencing agent in network communication with the server platform and the database.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server platform is further operable to specify entitlements within the at least one geofence, wherein the database is further configured to store the entitlements.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one network device is operable to implement the entitlements for the location-based services within the at least one geofence for the region of interest.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one geofence is underground.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a multiplicity of devices in network communication with the at least one network device, wherein the multiplicity of devices is operable to perform tasks in compliance with entitlements within the at least one geofence.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a multiplicity of devices in network communication with the at least one network device, wherein the multiplicity of devices is operable to model the region of interest.
 8. A system for location-based services, comprising: a server platform and at least one database constructed and configured for network communication with a multiplicity of network devices; wherein the at least one database is configured to store a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and three-dimensional (3D) physical locations; wherein the server platform is operable to define at least one geofence based on the space-network model; wherein the at least one database is operable to store the at least one geofence for the location-based services; and wherein the multiplicity of network devices is operable to learn the at least one geofence via network communication with the server platform and the at least one database.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the server platform is further operable to specify rules for the location-based services within the at least one geofence, wherein the at least one database is further operable to store the rules, wherein the multiplicity of network devices is further operable to learn the rules via network communication with the server platform and/or the at least one database, and wherein the multiplicity of network devices is operable to implement the rules for the location-based services within the at least one geofence.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiplicity of network devices is operable to learn and update location information based on IP address information and the space-network model in real time.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiplicity of network devices is operable to transmit at least one space-network identifier encoded with physical location information.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the multiplicity of network devices is fixed with a predetermined spatial density within the at least one geofence.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the space-network model comprises a physical topography, a reference datum, and an IP network.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein each 3D physical location is assigned a unique IP address in the space-network model, and wherein information relating to each 3D physical location is encoded in the corresponding IP addresses.
 15. A method for location-based services, comprising: providing a server platform and at least one database constructed and configured for network communication with a multiplicity of network devices, wherein the database is configured to store a space-network model binding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and physical locations; the server platform defining a multiplicity of geofences for a region of interest based on the space-network model; the at least one database storing the multiplicity of geofences; and the multiplicity of network devices retrieving information related to the multiplicity of geofences from the server platform and/or the at least one database.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the server platform specifying rules for the location-based services within the multiplicity of geofences, and the at least one database storing the rules.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the multiplicity of network devices retrieving the rules for the location-based services from the server platform and/or the at least one database, and the multiplicity of network devices implementing the rules for the location-based services within the multiplicity of geofences.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the multiplicity of network devices guiding a multiplicity of additional devices in compliance with the rules for the location-based services within the multiplicity of geofences.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the multiplicity of network devices modeling the region of interest.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the physical locations include three-dimensional (3D) physical locations. 